Battery Drain
Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011 at 15:43
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Tony N2
I have a T/D 100 series Landcruiser, and left it in the garage unused for 3 weeks when I started it it seemed sluggish a mate checked the battery and with the ignition of it was showing a drain of .58 of an amp any ideas what would cause this.
Thanks, Tony
Reply By: Ozhumvee - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011 at 16:07
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011 at 16:07
Stereo/radio for a start, clock, any aftermarket things added? Things like electronic rust protection devices will also pull a small amount of power as
well.
Dual battery systems are another that can contribute to a total that you have.
I've found that since fitting a DC to DC charger to the Humvee that if left unused for 2-3 weeks it will flatten both the main paired batteries for the truck 24v system and the 12v battery connected to it. So I disconnect all the batteries when it isn't being used.
In a former life driving a school bus which was brand new when I got it, if it was parked for any more than a fortnight there wasn't enough left in the batteries to start it so it had to be taken for a drive every week or so for about half an hour at highway speeds to top the batteries up during school holidays. The total drain on it was 128ma or .128 amps @24v which flattened the batteries completely if left for a month.
Our Oka has a Redarc VSR between the main and aux batteries and it too will slowly drain the batteries if left for a few weeks.
AnswerID:
472438
Reply By: snailbait (Blue mntns) - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011 at 19:45
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011 at 19:45
Tony N2
I have experienced flat bats in the Defender i had it has so much electronic controls that keeps activated that if not started for 2 weeks it just goes flat i changed the bat to a new one and it stilled did it. I used the Defender for 4wd so i did not drive it to work
Terry
AnswerID:
472455
Reply By: Battery Value Pty Ltd - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011 at 21:24
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011 at 21:24
Hi Tony,
0.58A could be the solenoid current of your dual battery system.
Whatever may cause it, it would have to go away after some time, otherwise your batteries would be completely flat within a week.
It would be interesting to check the battery drain after a few hours, a day, two days, to get an idea about how the current decays over time.
cheers, Peter
AnswerID:
472466
Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011 at 22:20
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011 at 22:20
Hi Tony,
Picking up on Peter's post about the solenoid...
On one of our club rallies a member complained of his batteries running down all the time. He had replaced the crank battery but no improvement.
Turned out his "professionally" installed (by an auto electrician) Redarc SBI had been wired incorrectly and was always on, drawing its 0.6amp from both batteries continuously and gradually running them down.
For this he paid $80 an hour plus parts AND it cost him the new battery.
It may be worth checking your isolator to make sure it is actually turning off when it is supposed to.
Frank
FollowupID:
747302
Reply By: Ray - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 at 08:47
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 at 08:47
I have a small Daihatsu Coure fitted with an engine disabler. If I leave it for any length of time I finish up with a flat battery so I disconnect the battery when not using the car. It kind of defeats the object of having an engine disabler
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472490
Reply By: LeighW - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 at 08:57
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 at 08:57
About 8 weeks is the longest you should leave a modern standard vehicle without running the car or charging the battery due to the cars electronics draining the battery.
If you have added accessories that also have a standy by drain then the time will shorten.
Cheers
LeighW
AnswerID:
472492